Extension table device



April 9, 1963 M. MANSON EXTENSION TABLE DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1961 WI, mwm u l M I INVENTOR.

MORRIS MAN SON FIG. 2.

ATTORNEY April 9, 1963 M. MANSON 3,084,639

EXTENSION TABLE DEVICE Filed Nov. 10, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIII III/I m IIIIIIIIIIII/I/IIIIIII INVENTOR.

MORRIS MANSON ATTORNEY April 1953' M. MANSON 3,084,639

EXTENSION TABLE DEVICE Filed Nov. 10, 1961 '3 Sheets-Sheet :5

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we? u K NH \Wh 56 5 H 430 I AWN?!J Ill h iiwh I a W INVENTOR.

MORRIS MANSO N iliifi This invention relates to extension tables with separable portions for the insertion of one or more leaves, and is directed especially to means for initiating the separation of the two complementary halves of such a table and, in a particular embodiment thereof, to a combination lock and actuator for tables of the aforesaid category.

Extension tables generally comprise coacting extension slide members attached to the two separable halves of the table top, the facing edges of said top half sections commonly having an arrangement of pins and coacting re cessed portions for effecting a properly aligned juncture of said top sections when they are in abutting relation. The friction between the coacting slide members and the close fit of the pins in said recessed portions generally make it necessary that considerable effort be exerted in order to separate the two top sections in the operation of extending the length of the table, it being often necessary for two people to grasp the opposite ends of the table to eifect the separation. It is one of the objectives of my invention to overcome these shortcomings by effecting an initial separation of said components through a single manual manipulation and with a minimum of effort, whereafter the required further separation can readily be accomplished by applying outward pressures upon the opposed inner edges of the separated table top halves. And in this aspect of my invention it is a further object thereof to apply the operative mechanical separating force directly upon an end of one of the slide members, resulting in two additional advantages, one being the application of the force longitudinally in the direction of movement for maximum efficiency and operation, and the other being the positioning of the actuating mechanism adjacent the edge of the table for maximum convenience to the operator.

It is another object of this invention to combine the above-referred to actuator with a locking member in a unitary device. Devices for locking the two separable components of a table in its closed or unextended position are well known, certain of these comprising locking elements located at the center of the table and hence not readily accessible. especially where there are drop leaf sections and others comprising complicated locks with wires or rods extending from the center lock to the edge of the table, or costly arrangements of two separate locks at the opposite marginal portions of the abutting middle edges of the table. In my device, the locking element is incorporated in the structure of said actuating member, whereby not only is it conveniently situated at the edge of the table, but is also operable directly on the movable slide member to effectively and positively hold it and the movable table top firmly locked to the stationary portion of the table.

I Another object of my invention is to provide means for enabling it to be readily attached to various forms of metal and wood extension table slide members.

And it is also within my objective to provide a simple, inexpensive and readily fabricated device having the features and advantages above mentioned.

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description hereinafter given.

Referring to the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary bottom view of a form of my invention on an extension table top shown in nonextended position.

ttes re 3,84,639 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view of FIG. '1 looking in the direction of arrows 2'-2.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section of FIG. 1 taken along line 44.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of arrows 55.

FIG. 5A is a view like FIG. 5, showing the positions of the parts when the table top sections are operatively separated.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary side elevation and fragmentary section of FIG. 2 taken substantially along line 6-6, the dot-dash lines showing the position of the device in an operative actuating position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device of my invention attached to a table top, showing the device in its locking position, fragments of the table top portion being broken away for clarity and convenience.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary bottom view of a modified form of my invention shown applied to a table top in its non-extended condition.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary end view of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side view of FIG. 10, a part being broken away for clarity, the device being shown in its locking position.

FIG. 11A is a view substantially like FIG. 11 showing the position of the device in an operative actuating position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apertured locking bracket of the embodiment of my dev'ce shown in FIGS. 91 1A.

In the form of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 the extension table top generally designated 15 comprises the two separable halves or sections 16 and 17, section 16 having at the inner edge 18 thereof the pins 19 proportioned and positioned for a close fit within the oppositely positioned recessed portions 20 at the inner edge 21 of said section 17 for effecting, in known manner, a properly aligned and smooth central juncture 22 when the facing edges 18 and 2.1 are in abutment, as shown in FIG. 5. In this specification, the table half 16 will be referred to as the stationary section, and the half 17 as the movable section. Attached to the underside 23 of said movable section 17 by the brackets 24 and 24a are the respective extension slide members 25 and 25a (hereinafter referred to as the movable slide members), said slide members extending forwardly below the underside 2.6 of the stationary section 16 to a region adjacent the front edge 27 thereof. Attached by brackets 28 and 28a to said underside 26 of the stationary section 16 are the respective extension slide members 29 and 29a (hereinafter referred to as the stationary slide members), said latter slide members extending rearwardly below the underside 23 of said stationary section 17. In the embodiment illustrated, the slide members 25, 25a and 29, 2911 are substantially channel-shaped, members 25 and 29, and 25a and 29a being, respectively, in interengaged slidable relation; it is understood, however, that other forms of extension slide members may be employed within the scope of this invention. In the particular embodiment shown, the laterally opposite brackets and slide members are of similar construction; hence, for the purpose of this specification, reference will be made only to the components on one side of the table. In the channelshaped slide arrangement illustrated, the bracket 24 comprises a vertical wall 30 attached by fasteners 31 to the web 32 of the movable slid-e member 25, and a top flange 33 secured by fasteners 34 to the underside of the table top section 17; and the bracket 28 comprises a vertical wall 35 attached by fasteners 36 to the web 37 of the stationary slide member 29, and a top flange 38 secured by fasteners 39 to the underside of the top section 16.

Attached to the forward portion of the stationary section 16 is the combination actuator and lock device of my invention generally designated 40. The particular form thereof illustrated comprises a bracket 41 secured to the underside of section 16, and a spring-loaded lever 42 pivotally supported on bracket 41 and having an actuator finger 43 and a locking element 44. The said bracket 41 comprises the upper flange 45, the intermediate wall 46 and the bottom wall 47 laterally offset from wall 46, said bottom wall pivotally supporting the lever 42 at 42a. The flange 45 is secured by fasteners 45a to the section 16, the arrangement in the embodiment illustrated being such that the bracket is adjacent the said front edge 27 and side edge 27a of section 16, and laterally outwardly relative to the said interengaged slide members 25 and 29. The lever 42. is disposed laterally inwardly with respect to said bottom wall 47 of bracket 41, the actuator finger 43 being bent outwardly and positioned in front of and in longitudinal registry with the front end 48 of the movable slide member 25, so that when the lever is operatively actuated, said finger will engage said front end and move the slide member 25' rearwardly, as will more clearly hereinafter appear. The said locking element 44 is, in the form illustrated, a protruding element spaced rearwardly from said actuating finger 4S and extending upwardly in angular relation to the longitudinal extent of the lever 42-between the vertical web 32 of the movable slide member 25 and the bottom vertical flange 49 thereof, and in registry with the lock-receiving aperture 50 in the bottom leg 51 of said channel-shaped member 25. Said lever 42 has the handle 52 normally extending rearwardly, there being a spring 53 attached to the lever at 54 and anchored to said intermediate wall 46 at 55, said spring normally urging said handle upwardly. It will be noted that the locking element 44 and actuating finger 43 are on opposite sides of the levers pivot 42a, the locking element being rearwardly thereof and the said finger forwardly thereof.

These parts are so proportioned and positioned that when the handle 52 is in its upper or inoperative position, the locking element 44 is disposed within the said .apertured portion 56 and the actuating finger 43- out of engagement with said front edge 48 of the slide member 25. In this position the said locking element 44, operatively connected in the manner aforesaid to the stationary top section 16 of the table, holds the slide member 25 locked against movement. But when the lever 52 is manually pressed downwardly against the action of spring 53, the said locking element 44 is moved out of the said apertured portion 50, leaving the slide 25 free to move, the continued downward movement of handle 52 causing the said actuating finger 43 to move forwardly and engage said edge 48 of slide member 25, whereby said member 25 is actuated rearwardly to cause the movable top section 17 to separate from the stationary section 16, as indicated in FIG. A.

It is evident that since finger 4-3 acts directly on the forward edge 48 of the movable slide member 25, in the longitudinal direction of movement, the separation of the two halves of the table is efiiciently accomplished by positive and direct action. And since the entire device 40 is positioned close to an edge of the table, both the locking and separating actions thereof are conveniently eifectuated simply by reaching under the table and manually manipulating the readily accessible device. All that is required is .a simple downward pressure on the handle 52, and the locked table sections are released and, by the same movement, partially .separated. Thereafter, outward pressure can readily be applied to the opposed edges 18 and 21 to pull the two table halves apart and separate them to the extent desired. And when it is desired to return the separated sections into abutting relation, all that A. need be done is to push them together, whereupon the spring 53 will return the locking element 44 into its locking position within the apertured portion 59.

In the form of my invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, the actuator and locking device 40a is operatively connected to an extension table having wooden extension slide members, the movable slide member 56 being attached, in known manner, to the movable section 57, and the stationary slide member 58 being attached, in known manner, to the stationary section 59, both slide members being operatively interconnected by the connector key 60 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Attached to the forward portion of the movable slide member 56 is the bracket 61 having the configuration, in the particular embodiment illustrated, of a Z-bar. The leg 62 of bracket 61 is attached to the slide member 56 by fasteners 63, the intermediate horizontal wall 64 having therein the apertured portion 65, and the upper vertical wall 66 having the front operative edge 67. The combination actuator and lock member 40a is similar to member 40 hereinabove described, their components being substantially alike. Said member 40a is so positioned that the bent actuator tip 43a is disposed in front of said edge 67 (corresponding to edge 48 of the movable slide member 25 of the form first above described), the locking element 44a being adapted for locking engagement with the apertured portion 65 (corresponding to the apertured portion 53 of said member 25). Upon a downward operative movement of the handle 52a against the action of spring 55a, the operative movement of lever 42b about pivot 42c will cause the locking element 44a to become disengaged from the apertured portion 65, and the actuating finger 43a to engage edge 67 of bracket 61 to push it rearwardly, thereby moving the slide member 56 rearwardly, to cause a separation of movable section 57 from stationary section 58, in the manner aforesaid. Upon an operative closing of the table, the locking element 44a will automatically enter the apertured portion 65 to lock the two table sections together.

In the above description, the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example and in preferred manner; but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any form or manner of practicing same, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for attachment to an extension table of the class having two separable top sections one being stationary and the other movable, and having coacting stationary and movable slide members attached to said stationary and movable sections, respectively, a bracket member attached to said stationary section, and an actuator member movably attached to said bracket member and positioned adjacent said movable slide member, said actuator member being so proportioned and positioned that it is adapted to be movable between a retracted position out of engagement with said movable slide member and projected positions in engagement therewith, whereby upon an operative movement of said actuator member from said retracted position into said projected positions the said movable slide member will be correspondingly moved and the said movable section separated from said stationary section.

2. In an extension table device, the combination according to claim 1, said actuator member having a slidecontacting portion so proportioned and positioned that it is adapted to engage the forward end of said movable slide member when the actuator member is in its said projected positions.

3. In a device for attachment to an extension table of the class having two separable top sections one being stationary and the other movable, and having coacting stationary and movable slide members attached to said stationary and movable sections, respectively, a bracket member attached to said stationary section, an actuator member comprising a lever pivotally attached to said bracket member and having thereon a slide-contacting finger, said actuator member being positioned adjacent said movable slide member and being so proportioned and positioned that it is adapted to be movable between a retracted position at which said finger is out of engagement with said movable slide member and projected positions in engagement therewith, and spring means attached to said actuator member and anchored to said bracket member, said spring means yieldably urging said actuator into its said retracted position, whereby upon an operative movement of said actuator member from said retracted position into said projected positions the said movable slide member will be correspondingly moved and the said movable section separated from said stationary section.

4. In an extension table device, the combination according to claim 3, said finger having a bent terminal portion so proportioned and positioned that it is adapted to engage the forward end of said movable slide member when the actuator member is in its said projected positions.

5. In a device for attachment to an extension table of the class having two separable top sections one being stationary and the other movable, and having coacting stationary and movable slide members attached to said stationary and movable sections, respectively, a bracket member attached to said stationary section, an actuator member comprising a lever pivotally attached to said bracket member and having at one end thereof a handle in spaced relation to said movable slide member and at the other end a finger with a bent terminal portion, said actuator member being positioned adjacent said movable slide member and being so proportioned and positioned that it is adapted to be movable between a retracted position at which said bent terminal portion is out of engagement with said movable slide member and projected positions at which it is in engagement with the forward end of said movable slide member, and spring means attached to said actuator member and anchored to said bracket member, said spring means yieldably urging said actuator into its said retracted position, whereby upon an operative movement of said actuator member from said retracted position into said projected positions the said movable slide member will be correspondingly moved and the said movable section separated from said stationary section.

6. In a combination lock and actuator device for attachment to an extension table of the class having two separable top sections one being stationary and the other movable, and having coacting stationary and movable slide members attached to said stationary and movable sections, respectively, a bracket member attached to said stationary section, and a lever pivotal-1y mounted on said bracket member and positioned adjacent said movable slide member, said lever having thereon a slide-contacting finger and spaced therefrom a locking element, said lever being movable between predetermined retracted and projected positions, said lever being so proportioned and positioned that when it is in said retracted position said finger is out of engagement with said movable slide member and said locking element is in operative locking engagement therewith, thereby to hold said movable section stationary, and when said lever is in said projected positions said locking member is out of engagement with said movable slide member and said finger is in operative engagement therewith, whereby upon an operative movement of said lever from said retracted position into said projected positions the said movable slide member will be correspondingly moved and the said movable section separated from said stationary section.

7. In an extension table lock and actuator device, a bracket member and a spring-loaded lever pivotally supported on said bracket; said bracket member having an upper flange, an intermediate wall, and a bottom wall laterally offset from said intermediate wall; said lever being pivotally mounted on said bottom wall and having an actuator finger, a locking element in spaced relation thereto and a handle portion; said lever having a spring attached thereto and anchored to said intermediate wall, said spring and lockng element being on one side of the levers pivotal mounting and said finger being on the opposite side thereof.

8. In an extension table lock and actuator device, the combination according to claim 7, said lever being disposed laterally with respect to said bottom wall of the bracket member, and said finger being bent laterally away from the longitudinal extent of the lever; said locking element comprising a protruding element extending in angular relation to the longitudinal extent of said lever.

9. In an extension table, two separable top sections one being stationary and the other movable, coacting stationary and movable slide members attached to said stationary and movable sections, respectively, said movable slide member extending under said stationary sections and having an end thereof disposed adjacent a marginal portion of the table, a bracket member attached to said stationary section adjacent said end of said movable slide member, and an actuator member movably attached to said bracket member and being so proportioned and positioned that it is movable between a retracted position out of engagement with said end of the movable slide member and projected positions in engagement therewith, whereby upon an operative movement of said actuator member from said retracted position into said projected positions the said movable slide member will be correspondingly moved and the said movable section separated from said stationary section.

10. In an extension table, two separable top sections one being stationary and the other movable, coacting stationary and movable slide members attached to said stationary and movable sections, respectively, said movable slide member having an apertured lock-receiving portion thereon, and a combination lock and actuator device comprising a bracket member attached to said stationary section, and a lever pivotally mounted on said bracket member and positioned adjacent said movable slide member, said lever having thereon a slide-contacting finger and spaced therefrom a locking element, said lever being movable between predetermined retracted and projected positions, said lever being so proportioned and positioned that when it is in said retracted position said finger is out of engagement with said movable slide member and said locking element is in operative locking engagement with said apertured lock-receiving portion, thereby to hold said movable section stationary, and when said lever is in said projected positions said locking member is out of engagement with said apertured portion and said finger is in operative engagement with said movable slide member, whereby upon an operative movement of said lever from said retracted position into said projected positions the said movable slide member will "be correspondingly moved and the said movable section separated from said stationary section.

11. In an extension table, the combination according to claim 10, said bracket member being disposed laterally outwardly relative to said slide members, said lever being disposed laterally inwardly with respect to said bracket member, said slide contacting finger being bent outwardly and positioned in front of and in longitudinal registry with the foremost end of said movable slide member.

12. In an extension table, the combination according to claim 10, said bracket member having an upper flange attached to the underside of said stationary table .top section, an intermediate wall, and a bottom wall laterally offset from said intermediate wall; said lever being pivotally mounted on said bottom wall and having a handle extending generally re'arwardly, and a spring attached to said handle and anchored on said intermediate wall.

13. In an extension table, the combination according to claim 10, said slide members comprising interengaged channel-shaped members each having a vertical web flanked by upper and lower horizontally disposed legs, said *apertured lock-receiving portion being disposed on one of said legs.

14. In an extension table, the combination according to claim 10, said apertured lock-receiving portion comprising an apertured bracket attached to said movable slide member at theforward portion thereof.

15. In an extension table, the combination according to claim 10, said movable slide member having attached thereto a substantially Z-shaped bracket having a horizontal wall and two laterally offset vertical Walls extending respectively upwardly and downwardly therefrom, said apertured lock-receiving portion being in said horizontal wall.

16. In an extension table, the combination according to claim 10, said movable slide member having attached thereto a substantially Z-shaped bracket having a horizontal Wall and two laterally offset vertical walls extending respectively upwardly and downwardly therefrom, said \apertured lock-receiving portion being in said horizontal wall, said slide-contacting ringer being engageable with the front edge of one of said vertical walls. 17. In an extension table, the combination according to claim 10, said movable slide member having attached thereto a bracket having a forwardly disposed edge, said slide-contacting finger being engageable with said edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,113,192 Burton Oct. 13, 1914 1,180,912 Dyke Apr. 25, 1916 1,215,656 Herrmann Feb. 13, 1917 1,425,833 Bowers Aug. 15, 1922 1,937,584 North Dec. 5, 1933 2,583,282 Virtue Jan. 22, 1952 2,661,257 Voina et a1 Dec. 1, 1953 2,788,253 Gussack Apr. 9, 1957 

1. IN A DEVICE FOR ATTACHMENT TO AN EXTENSION TABLE OF THE CLASS HAVING TWO SEPARABLE TOP SECTIONS ONE BEING STATIONARY AND THE OTHER MOVABLE, AND HAVING COACTING STATIONARY AND MOVABLE SLIDE MEMBERS ATTACHED TO SAID STATIONARY AND MOVABLE SECTION, RESPECTIVELY, A BRACKET MEMBER ATTACHED TO SAID STATIONARY SECTION, AND AN ACTUATOR MEMBER MOVABLY ATTACHED TO SAID BRACKET MEMBER AND POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID MOVABLE SLIDE MEMBER, SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER BEING SO PROPORTIONED AND POSITIONED THAT IT IS ADAPTED TO BE MOVABLE BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID MOVABLE SLIDE MEMBER AND PROJECTED POSITIONS IN ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, WHEREBY UPON AN OPERATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR MEMBER FROM SAID RETRACTED POSITION INTO SAID PROJECTED POSITIONS THE SAID MOVABLE SLIDE MEMBER WILL BE CORRESPONDINGLY MOVED AND THE SAID MOVABLE SECTION SEPARATED FROM SAID STATIONARY SECTION. 